Raymond Frank Lazarchic

1946 - 2024

Raymond Frank Lazarchic

July 23, 1946 - November 11, 2024

Raymond Frank Lazarchic, 78, was born in Painesville, OH, the fourth child of Frank and Della Lazarchic. From his earliest days, Ray brought optimism and enthusiasm to the myriad events and adventures that presented themselves to him. His innate, God-given intelligence served him well as he moved from traditional schooling to the major real-world challenges of military service in Vietnam, raising a family, and building multiple successful businesses from the ground up. In Vietnam, his friends and fellow soldiers lauded Ray for his loyalty, sense of humor, and as "the man that could get things done," be it securing a much-needed spare part or finding a few extra rations to make those young men's difficult time away from home a little more bearable.

Back in the States, Ray approached every day as an opportunity to learn something new, forge a fresh relationship, and make the world around him a little better than he found it. His ability to incorporate his favorite hobbies and love of the outdoors into his personal and professional life was extraordinary. Ray and Mike Hildebrand founded James River Irrigation and James River Grounds Management, which became one of the largest commercial landscape companies in the state. Then, with his family, he poured his considerable energy and enthusiasm into grape growing and winemaking, founding James River Cellars Winery.

Ray was always willing and eager to offer time and useful advice to friends and strangers, never asking or expecting anything in return. His generous heart manifested itself day to day through donations to charities, cases of wine given away, bags of grass seed and flats of beautiful plants delivered. He loved fellowship with friends, travel, golf, fine food and wine, cats, the Buckeyes, and everything about nature. For those blessed to know Ray, the joy he shared continues to live within and uplift many lives going forward.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Ann Kiernan Lazarchi; his children, Tricia Brown (Mike), Mitzi Batterson (James), Blair Wildauer (Scott); and Ann's children, Elizabeth Fitzgerald (Scott), Brian Kiernan, Mara Lambert (Michael); and five grandchildren. Ray's surviving siblings are Richard Lazarchic (Peg), Diana Vourron (Robert) and Darlene Hinchcliffe (Scott).

Family will greet friends on Tuesday, November 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 20, 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road. Private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Families of the Wounded Fund (FOTWF), www.fotwf.org/ and Richardsons Rescue, richardsonsrescuerva.org.